7 things to know about the Victoria Livestock Show

The Victoria Community Center found itself full to the brim Thursday with livestock, parents, participants and more as the Victoria Livestock Show officially kicked off.

And, although many people know the annual event includes animals, a carnival and a variety of food options, not everyone knows the smaller details that come into play.

Here are seven things to know about the Victoria Livestock Show:

1. The Victoria Livestock Show is now in its 65th year and 2011's theme is "A New Beginning."

2. More than 12,000 visitors attend the stock show each year. That number increases once you add in the vendors, participants and others who venture to the event.

3.The show was originally founded by the Victoria Jaycees, but two organizations, the Jaycees and the Victoria Livestock Show Association, handled different aspects of the event. This year, however, the two organizations came together to form the Victoria Fair Association Inc.

4. A variety of farm and ranch, retail and food items are on sale throughout the duration of the stock show. While some of the vendors come from the Crossroads area, not everyone does. Some come from border towns, Lubbock, Robstown and more.

5. The 2011 show introduced several changes to the mix, including new open rabbit and breeding rabbit shows, additions to the barbecue cook-off and cash prizes for the horse shoes and washers contest.

6. Each auction has 275 sales slots available. To determine how many animals from each category go to sale, organizers calculate a percentage, depending on the number of total entries. This year, 76.6 percent of entries from each division make it to sale.

7. The 2011 show was dedicated to longtime supporter Dr. Clint Barrett, who died in January. Barrett served on the livestock show board for more than 40 years, worked as stock show veterinarian and, along with his wife, Audrey Barrett, introduced the pony show to the Victoria Livestock Show.